Brain Maturation in Childhood Chronic Liver Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Brain Maturation through childhood, adolescence and adulthood in individuals with early-onset chronic Liver Disease.
IRAS ID
291438
Contact name
Marianne Samyn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic liver disease (CLD) in children is increasing, with over 1,000 children a year diagnosed annually. Though the survival rates of children with paediatric onset of liver disease and successful transplantations have greatly increased, children, adolescents and adults have educational and mental health difficulties which limit their quality of life and potential. Children with CLD are at risk of developing cognitive impairment and developmental lag. As many as half of adolescents with CLD have IQ scores below 85. Rates of mental health difficulties in adolescence including suicidality are high. With the poor quality of life and career limitations seen into adulthood, it is essential to investigate brain development, cognition and behaviour to inform health care needs.
The mechanisms underlying these alterations in brain development and function are poorly understood. Hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of chronic liver disease, caused by poor clearance of toxins by the liver, is likely to play a role. As the liver is involved in growth and pubertal development by regulating hormone metabolism, CLD may also disrupt growth and puberty. In addition, the effect of an inflammatory trigger for CLD in early life on brain development needs to be considered.
The purpose of this study is to map brain development and function from infancy to adulthood in CLD for the first time and determine how this relates to cognition, behaviour and mental health outcomes.
We already have comparison datasets from exisitng studies across all ages from typically developing individuals and those who have neurodevelopmental and mental health difficulties. Our protocol has been developed with this in mind and comprises standardized questionnaires and behavioural observations, in-person assessments, MRI scan, EEG, eye tracking and biosamples to measure inflammation, hormones and blood chemistry (many already acquired as part of routine clinical care).
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1587
Date of REC Opinion
22 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion